Nashville, Tenn. –Elmer Virula, 54, has been sentenced to 24 months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release, for preparing and submitting fraudulent tax returns to the IRS, acording to a United States Attorney release.

Virula was also ordered to repay the IRS $167,535 for fraudulently enter tax credits on clients’ tax returns to generate larger refunds. He must also cease and desist from representing himself as a Certified Public Accountant and he is not allowed to prepare tax returns for others.

Virula was indicted on April 8, 2010, and charged with 16 counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false income tax returns. According to the indictment, Virula primarily catered to Nashville’s Hispanic community, preparing fraudulent federal income tax returns for calendar years 2003 through 2006.

Virula, owned and operated three tax preparation businesses in the middle Tennessee area and he trained his employees to fraudulently enter tax credits on clients’ tax returns to generate larger refunds for which the clients were not entitled.

“As we approach the filing season, taxpayers are reminded to choose a return preparer carefully. Individuals should review their return thoroughly and make sure they understand every item on them as they are ultimately responsible for everything claimed on the return,” said Christopher A. Henry, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation-Nashville Field Office.

During the sentencing hearing, numerous witnesses testified that Virula fraudulentaly represented himself to the immigrant Hispanic community as a christian minister and a CPA.